Rotary web marking and segmenting apparatus

ABSTRACT

APPARATUS FOR MAKING A MOVING CONTINUOUS WEB FOR CONNECTION WITH A SEGMENTING SYSTEM INCLUDING A ROTATABLE SEGMENTING WHEEL ENGAGING SAID WEB FOR DEFINING A PLURALITY OF SEGMENTS IN SAID WEB, SAID APPARATUS INCLUDING A MARKING MEANS HAVING A ROTATABLE DIE WHEEL ENGAGING SAID WEB FOR MARKING SAME AND OPERABLY CONNECTED TO THE MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID SEGMENTING WHEEL FOR ROTATION THEREBY AT A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SPEED SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL SPEED OF SAID SEGMENTING WHEEL. THE DIE WHEEL IS REMOVABLY MOUNTED ON THE FRAME OF THE MARKING MEANS FOR SUBSTITUTION OF A DIE WHEEL SELECTED FROM A GROUP OF DIE WHEELS OF DIFFERENT DIAMETERS, ADJUSTMENT MEANS BEING PROVIDED FOR LATERALLY DISPLACING THE IMPRESSION ROLLER, WELL AND DOCTOR MEANS OF SAID MARKING MEANS RELATIVE TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID DIE WHEEL TO ACCOMMODATE SAID DIE WHEELS.

1971 l. s. GOTTSCHO ETAL ROTARY WEB MARKING AND SEGMENTING APPARATUS I 4Sheds-Sheet 1 Filed April 9, 1969 ATTORNEYS 1971 l. s. GOTTSCHO ErAL 3,

ROTARY WEB MARKING AND SEGMENTING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet z Filed April9, 1969 ATTORNEYS Nov. 2, 1971 s. GOTTSCHO ETAL 3,616,750

ROTARY WEB MARKING AND SEGMENTING APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1969 4Sheets-Sheet 5 #R 860 W mmw 5. N & N s w my I m a \Q m w Nov. 2, 1971 s.GOTTSCHO ETAL ROTARY WEB MARKING AND SEGMENTING APPARATUS Filed April 9,1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Wm W 860 M mww mw m? ,N k W m u C MU m 4 a Y 4 B M h 7 W M G UnitedStates Patent U.S. Cl. 101-157 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREApparatus for marking a moving continuous web for connection with asegmenting system including a rotatable segmenting wheel engaging saidweb for defining a plurality of segments in said web, said apparatusincluding a marking means having a rotatable die wheel engaging said webfor marking same and operably connected to the means for driving saidsegmenting wheel for rotation thereby at a circumferential speedsubstantially equal to the circumferential speed of said segmentingWheel. The die Wheel is removably mounted on the frame of the markingmeans for substitution of a die wheel selected from a group of diewheels of different diameters, adjustment means being provided forlaterally displacing the impression roller, well and doctor means ofsaid marking means relative to the longitudinal axis of said die wheelto accommodate said die wheels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally toarrangements for printing indicia on moving continuous webs which arethen divided into a plurality of segments by a segmenting means such asa strip packaging system or a rotary knife system. The indicia impartedon the web must be in registration with the segments. Such registrationhas proved difiicult to achieve, especially where the segmenting meansis stopped and restarted in the middle of a run or the speed thereof isvaried during a run. Still a further problem arises where a singlesegmenting means is used to produce different sized segments in a websuch as by substituting sealing wheels of different diameters in strippackaging systems or rotary blade Wheels of different diameters inrotary knife systems. Registration between the known web markingapparatus and the modified segmenting means requires modification of theformer, such as by substitution of a new die wheel having the indiciaspaced thereon in a predetermined but different pattern and adjustmentof the speed of rotation thereof. In such known web marking apparatusthe substitution of a new die wheel is a laborious task since theimpression wheel is generally disposed above said die wheel and a greatdeal of the device must be dismantled to reach the die wheel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking, in accordance with theinvention, an apparatus is provided for marking a moving continuous web,said web to be operated on by segmenting means for defining a pluralityof segments in said web, including marking means having a rotatablewheel for marking said moving Web and connecting means operablyconnecting the means for driving said segmenting means and said die3,616,750 Patented Nov. 2., 1971 ice being removably mounted on saidframe for substitution of a die wheel selected from a group of diewheels of different diameters. The impression roller is rotatablymounted on said frame on the side of said die wheel to permit theremoval of said die Wheel in an upwardly direction, said web passing ina substantially vertical direction between said impression roller andsaid die wheel.

Said marking means also preferably includes a Well for carrying ink,said die wheel extending within said well for inking the peripheralsurface thereof and doctor means engaging the peripheral surface of saidinked die wheel for controlling the amount and distribution of ink onsaid die roller. Adjustment means are provided for mounting saidimpression roller, well and doctor means on said frame for lateraldisplacement relative to the longitudinal axis of said die wheel. Thedie wheel is preferably rotated by an idler motor when the segmentingmeans is stopped, registration means being provided to insureregistration upon the restarting of the segmenting means, and thereforethe web marking apparatus.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a web markingapparatus adapted to impart indicia on a moving continuous web, saidindicia being in regstration with segments defined in said web by asegmenting means which operates on said web thereafter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a Web marking apparatuswhich can be driven as a slave to a segmenting means to which it isconnected with the the wheel of said apparatus rotating at acircumferential speed substantially equal to the circumferential speedof the segmenting wheel of said segmenting means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a web markingapparatus wherein the die wheel is readily removable for substitution ofdie wheels selected from a group including die wheels of differentdiameters, the other components of said apparatus being adjustable toaccommodate said die wheel of different diameter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a Web marking apparatuswhich will maintain the registration between the indicia impartedthereby on a moving continuous web and the segments defined in said webby a segmenting means after the stopping and restarting of saidsegmenting means and 'web marking apparatus.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of theinvention, reference is had to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the web marking apparatus inaccordance with the invention, connected to a typical strip packagingsystem;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1showing a package formed by said strip packaging system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the web marking apparatus inaccordance with the invention, connected to a typical rotary knifesystem;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the web marking apparatus according to theinvention with portions broken away;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the web marking apparatus ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the web marking apparatus ofFIG. 4 disposed to accommodate a die wheel of increased diameter;

FIG. 7 is a fragmented elevational view taken along lines 77 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a fragmented enlarged sectional view taken along lines 88 ofFIG.

'FIG. 9 is a fragmented perspective view of the drive means for the Webmarking apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmented elevational view taken along lines 10-10 of FIG.4;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along lines 111]t of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along lines 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the ink well and adjustingmeans therefor of the web marking apparatus according to the invention;and

FIGS. 14 and 15 are sectional views taken along lines 14-14 and 1515respectively of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG, 1, theweb marking apparatus 10 according to the invention is shownschematically, incorporated into a typical strip packaging system 12also schematically depicted. Said strip packaging system includes rolls14 and 16 of a continuous web of a thermoplastic packaging material suchas polyethylene or a laminate formed from layers of polyethylene andaluminum foil or polyethylene, aluminum foil and paper. Webs 18 and 20are drawn respectively from rolls 14 and 16 around guide rollers '22 inthe direction of arrows 24. The two webs are brought together at sealingrollers 26, at which point articles 28 to be packaged are sequentiallydelivered at the output of the throat of funnel 30. One or both ofsealing rollers 26 have circumferentially spaced cavities 32 formed inthe periphery thereof to form a clearance to receive articles 28 as theyare sequentially fed thereto by means not shown. One or both of saidrollers are heated to seal the thermoplastic material along theperiphery of each cavity to define a plurality of segments in saidjoined webs, each defining a package 33 containing one or more ofarticles 28.

Sealing rollers 26 are coordinately driven by means not shown inopposite directions as depicted by arrows 27 and rotate in pressingengagement to draw Webs 18 and 2t) therebetween and to effect a properseal. Each package 33 is defined by the seal between webs l8 and 20which extend along the periphery thereof. Sealing rollers 26 can beadapted to score or weaken the zones 34 of the segmented web betweenadjacent packages 33 to facilitate separation of the individual packagesfrom each other.

For many applications, it is desirable to mark each package 33 with anindicia 35 indicating the lot, the date packaged, the product containedtherein or other identifying information. Thismarking must beaccomplished before the sealing of the webs by rollers 26 in order toavoid damaging articles 28. Accordingly, web marking apparatus 10 isprovided for marking the face of web 20 which will form an outer surfaceof packages 33. Said web marking apparatus includes a rotating die wheel36 for imparting the indicia to web 20, a rotating impression roller 38for pressingly engaging said Web against said rotating die wheel andwell 40 carrying ink 42, for supplying ink to said die wheel whichextends therein. Ink supply container 44 is provided pivotably mountedon conduit 46 for supplying ink to and draining ink from well 40 in amanner to be described below. Die wheel 36 rotates in the direction ofarrow 37 to mark web 20 as it passes between said die wheel andimpression rollers 38. Said impression roller is preferably freelyrotatable and rotates in the direction of arrow 39 in response to therotation of die wheel 36 and the passage of web 20 thereby.

It is critical to proper registration between the indicia 35 andpackages 33, that said indicia be disposed in pre determined locationson web :20 when said web is joined with web 18 by sealing rollers 26 todefine said packages. Such proper registration is accomplished byproviding a connecting means, schematically represented by dashed lines48, interconnecting die wheel 36 and one of said sealing wheels 26 todrive said die wheel in response to the rotation of said sealing wheel.Further, if the diameter of die wheel 36 and the mechanism of connectingmeans 48 are selected whereby said die wheel is rotated at acircumferential speed substantially equal to the circumferential speedof said sealing wheels, registration of indicia 35 and packages 33 isassured.

In one embodiment of the foregoing arrangement particularly adapted toproduce an extremely flexible system, the mechanism of connecting means48 is selected to drive die wheel 36 at substantially the same angularvelocity as sealing wheels 26. In this embodiment the diameter of diewheel 36 is selected to substantially equal the diameter of sealingwheel 26, so that the circumferential speed of said die and sealingwheels are substantially equal. If sealing wheel 26 were formed with sixspaced cavities 32 in its peripheral surface, die wheel 36 wouldpreferably be formed with six circumferentially spaced printing means onits peripheral surface adapted to impart indicia 35 to web 20.

The flexibility of the foregoing arrangement rests in the fact that whenstrip packaging system 12 is modified to produce packages of differentsizes or design by substituting new sealing wheels 26, registration ofthe indicia with the new packages is assured by merely replacing diewheel 36 with a die wheel specifically adapted for registration withsaid new packages. To this end, the web marking means according to theinvention is specifically adapted to permit the substitution of aplurality of die wheels of various diameters.

Since web marking means 10 functions as a slave to sealing wheels 26 andonly operates during the operation thereof, the entire system may bestarted and stopped without disturbing registration. Further, theangular velocity of the sealing wheels and therefore the rate ofproduction of the system may be varied without making separateadjustments to marking means 10.

A further application of the web marking apparatus according to theinvention is shown in FIG. 3. The rotary knife system 50 depictedschematically therein includes roll 52 of a continuous web of material54 which is drawn therefrom in the direction of arrows 55 through guiderollers 56 to rotary knife wheels 58 and 60." Wheel 60 is provided withblade 62 adapted to cooperate with notch 64- in wheel 58 to divide web54 into a plurality of segments of uniform length. These segments couldthen be used for packaging articles and containers by means of aconventional wrapping machine not shown. Said rotary knife wheels aredriven in opposite directions (wheel 62 in the direction of arrow 63 andwheel 64 in the direction of arrow 65) by means not shown and arenormally in pressing engagement to drive web 54 therebetween. As in thecase of the strip packaging system, indicia are to be imparted atpredetermined locations on each of said segments and accordingly, a webmarking apparatus 10 is shown schematically connected to said rotaryknife system. Web marking apparatus 10 is substantially identical to theweb marking apparatus described in connection with FIG. 1. The die wheel36 thereof is driven as a slave to knife rollers 58 and 60 by means ofconnecting means 66 shown schematically by dashed lines. According tothe invention, the mechanism of connecting means '66 and the diameter ofdie wheel 36 are selected, whereby the circumferential speed of said diewheel is substantially equal to the circumferential speed of said knifewheels.

While the web marking apparatus, according to the invention, is shownconnected to typical strip packaging and rotary knife systems, it isapparent that said apparatus may be applied to any system whereinindicia must be imparted to a continuous web for registration withdiscrete segments defined in said web by a segmenting means having arotatable sebmenting wheel. Further, while one typical strip packagingsystem and one typical rotary knife system are described herein, the webmarking arrangement, according to the invention, is applicable to all ofsuch systems having a rotatable segmenting wheel for operating on saidweb.

Turning now to FIGS. 4-15, 9. specific embodiment of the web markingapparatus, according to the invention, is shown.

This web marking apparatus is adapted to permit the rapid substitutionof any die wheel selected from a group comprising die wheels ofdifferent diameters. Such substitution is required to match the diewheel to the segmenting wheel of the segmenting means to which theapparatus is connected, thereby insuring proper registration between themarkings on the web and the segments into which it is divided. Saidapparatus is provided with a frame 70 for supporting the variouscomponents thereof. Die wheel 36 is mounted for rotation on shaft 72,which is rotatably supported on frame 70 by split bearings 74. Saidsplit bearings are retained within the frame by plate 76, which isremovably secured to said frame by means of screws 78. Die wheel 36 maybe readily removed from frame 70 by removing'screws 78, plates 76 andthe top half 80 of split bearing 74.

Impression roller 38 is mounted on shaft 82 for rotation therewith, saidshaft being mounted at its ends in sockets formed in blocks 84 for freerotation therein. As best shown in FIGS. and 6, blocks 84 are mountedfor longitudinal displacement within a channel defined by angle bars 86secured to frame 70 by means of screws 87. The displacement of saidblocks laterally displaces impression roller 38 relative to thelongitudinal axis of die wheel 36, as defined by shaft 72. Each ofblocks 84 are formed with a longitudinal threaded aperture 88. Athreaded bolt 90 is disposed within each of said apertures 88, saidapertures being adapted to accommodate varying lengths of theirrespective threaded bolts. A lock nut 92 is disposed about each bolt 90to retain said bolt in predetermined positions wherein a predeterminedlength thereof extends within the corresponding aperture 88. Each bolt90 extends through an aperture 94 in frame 70 and is longitudinallydisplaceable therethrough. The head 96 of each bolt 90 defines a camfollower which cooperates with a cam 98 fixed to shaft 100. Each bolthead 96 is biased against its respective cam 98 by a spring 102, whichis seated between said head and the portion of frame 70 in the region ofits respective aperture 94.

In order to accommodate the particular die wheel selected from the grouphaving different diameters, impression roller 38 must be laterallydisplaced relative to shaft 72 to a position at which it pressinglyengages web 20 against said die wheel. By way of example, FIG. 6 showsimpression roller 38 laterally displaced away from shaft 72 toaccommodate a new die wheel 36 of increased diameter substituted for diewheel 36 (FIGS. 4 and 5). This lateral displacement of impression roller38 is accomplished by threading a greater length of bolts 90 withintheir requested apertures 88 to longitudinally displace blocks 84,carrying therewith shaft 82 and impression roller 38. Lock nuts 92 arereleased to permit said lateral displacement, and after positioning, aretightened to lock said impression roller in the new location. In orderto insure uniform printing, two bolts are disposed within theircorresponding apertures so that shaft 82 is parallel to shaft 72.

Cams 98 and shaft 100 are part of a mechanism operated by pneumatic orhydraulic cylinder 104, adapted to disengage impression roller 38 fromdie wheel 36, when the segmenting means is brought to a halt. Web 20 ispositioned to be carried by said impression roller into and out ofengagement with said die wheel when said mechanism is activated. Thisarrangement permits die wheel 36 to be rotated by an idler motor, duringperiods that the segmenting means is stopped, without producing asmudged imprint on web 20, which is also stopped. The idling of said diewheel prevents ink disposed thereon, and in well 40, from drying out.Cylinder 104 is operated by fluid lines 105 and 106 which are connectedto a pump (not shown) operated by a microswitch (not shown). Saidmicroswitch is adapted to detect the starting and stopping of therotation of the segmenting wheels, such as sealing wheels 26 or rotaryknife wheels 58 and 60. As best shown in FIG. 7, piston 108 of cylinder104 is hingedly connected to one end of lever 110, which is fixed toshaft for the rotation thereof in response to the longitudinaldisplacement of said piston. Cylinder 104 is mounted to frame 70 bymeans of yoke 112, pin 113 and bracket 114.

Web marking apparatus 10 is shown disposed in the operative positionwhere indicia are being marked on web 20. In this position, the fluid isapplied to line to hold the piston in position. When the microswitchdetects that the segmenting means has stopped, the fluid is applied toline 106 to longitudinally displace piston 108 to the left, as shown inFIG. 4, thereby rotating shaft 100 to present a portion of earns 98,having a smaller diameter to the corresponding head 96 of bolts 90.Springs 102 bias said bolt heads against said cams, causing thedisplacement of blocks 84, which in turn laterally displaces impressionroller 38 out of engagement with die wheel 36. When the segmenting meansrecommences operation, the process is reversed with fluid being appliedto line 105 and impression roller 38 being rapidly displaced back intoengagement with said die wheel. The lateral displacement of impressionwheel 38 carries web 20 into and out of engagement with die wheel 36.

Reference is now had to FIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 13 which more particularlyshow the arrangement for mounting and displacing ink well 40. Well 40includes a bottom wall 116, defined by a quadrant of a cylinder of adiameter larger than that of the largest die wheel adapted to bereceived therein and end walls 118 for retaining ink 42. There is littleor no projection of the forward lip 119 of said well beyond the forwardedge of die wheel 36, thereby providing clearance for the substantiallyvertically extending web 20 passing thereby. The rear lip 120 of saidWell extends above said forward lip to catch any excess ink removed fromthe roller by a doctor blade 122. This raised rear lip also serves as asplash guard to catch ink which may be splashed from newly inkedportions of die wheel 36.

The bottom wall of well 40 is provided with an aperture 124 to which isconnected conduit 46. Secured to the opposite end of said conduit bymeans of screw 127 and washer 128 is mounting block 130. Said mountingblock is provided with a bore 132 adapted to receive ink supplycontainer 44 therein and to provide communication between said containerand apertures 134 extending through the Wall of conduit 46. Mountingblock is adapted to pivot about the circumference of conduit 46,carrying ink supply container 44 therewith. Said conduit is providedwith a plurality of apertures 134, spaced about its circumference in theregion of bore 132, whereby ink may be continuously supplied to well 40when the ink supply container is in the upper position and may bedrained from said well when the container is in the lower position.Sealing rings 135 are provided on both sides of bore 132 in engagementwith conduit 46 to prevent the leakage of ink between said conduit andmounting block 130. Reference is had to United States Letters Pat. No.3,318,238 issued on May 9, 1967, for a detailed description of thestructure and function of this arrangement for supplying and drainingink from a well or fountain.

A portion 136, of the outer surface of conduit 46 is threaded andknurled lock nut 138 is disposed thereon. The conduit extends through avertically extending slot 140 in frame 70 and the well and conduitassembly is held in place, in part, by lock nut 138 engaging againstframe 70. Well is further supported by means of guide blocks 142 formedwith an inclined channel 144 therein. Each of said guide 'blocks issecured to the inside surface of frame at opposite sides of said well. Afinger 146 is adapted to ride in said inclined channel. A threaded bolt148 extends through a correspondingly threaded aperture 149 in eachblock 142, into channels 144. Said bolts determine the length of saidchannels, thereby positioning fingers I146 therein. Tightening lock nut138 draws fingers 146 up the inclined channel 144- until said fingersengage the end of bolts 148. Referring again to FIG. 6, wherein a diewheel 36" of increased diameter is shown substituted for die wheel 36,it can be seen that well 40 is adjusted to accommodate said new diewheel by being displaced downwardly and forwardly along the line definedby inclined channels 144. Specifically, lock nut 138 is displaced towardmounting block and bolts 138 are rotated so that a greater length ofeach extends into its corresponding inclined channel. The well andconduit assembly is locked in the new position by tightening lock nut138 against frame 70 with conduit 46 disposed in a lower position withinslot and fingers i136 disposed in a lower position in channels 144 ofguide blocks 142.

Die wheel 36 is preferably of the gravure type wherein the printingmeans consists of receses in the surface of the plate shaped as letters,numerals or other indicia and adapted to receive ink therein as theypass through the bath of ink 42. After a portion of the peripheralsurface of die wheel 36 leaves well 40, excess ink from the surfacethereof is removed by doctor blade 122. The inkladen recesses are thenbrought into contact with web 20 which is pressed thereagainst byimpression roller 36 to deposit the ink on said web, thereby impartingthe desired indicia thereon. Doctor blade 122 is preferably formed froma resilient material such as rubber. Said doctor blade is supported upona U-shaped bracket 150, mounted on a reciprocating rod 152. The two arms154, of bracket 150 are each formed with a slot 156. The ends 158 ofdoctor blade 122 are formed with a longitudinally extending threadedaperture 160 and are sized to extend into slot 156. Said doctor blademay be locked in any position along slot 156 by means of screws 162which extend into correspondingly threaded apertures 160. Referringagain to FIG. 6, die wheel 36' of increased diameter is shown disposedin the web marking apparatus according to the invention and doctor blade122 is shown displaced laterally away from shaft 72 along slots 156 toaccommodate said larger die wheel.

Bar 152, upon which bracket 150 is mounted, extends through apertures164 in frame 70 and is supported therein by bearings 165. Retainingmember 166 is secured to the outside wall of frame 60 about one of saidapertures 164 to retain spring 168, the other end of which is receivedin a socket 167 in the end of said aperture. The other end, 169, of saidrod serves as a cam follower and cooperates with cam surface 170 ofwheel 172. Said cam surface is inclined from the vertical and bar 152 isbiased thereagainst by spring 168. The bar thus reciprocates along itslongitudinal axis in response to the rotation of wheel 172, carryingdoctor blade 122 therewith to improve the action thereof.

The above-described arrangement of die wheel 36, impression roller 38,well 40 and doctor blade 122, provides an extremely flexible gravureprinting arrangement, particularly adapted for application to segmentingmeans of the type also described above. Thus, the impression roller 38is disposed on the side of die wheel 36 rather than above said dieWheel, as in the known arrangements, to permit the ready removal andreplacement of said die wheel by a die wheel selected from a grouphaving a wide range of diameters. The impression roller, well and doctorblade are all displaceable relative to the longitudinal axis of diewheel 36, thereby permitting the substitution of said die wheels ofvarious diameters. Further, well 40 is specifically adapted so as not tointerfere with the substantially vertically extending web 20 as itpasses between said die wheel and said impression roller. The adjustment arrangements for the impression roller, well and doctor blade havebeen specifically designed so as not to interfere with the normaloperation of the marking means, including the mechanism for displacingsaid impression roller into and out of engagement with said die wheel inresponise to the starting and stopping of said segmenting means, thereciprocal displacement of the doctor blade, and the ink feeding anddraining arrangement for the Well.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 9-12, the connecting and driving arrangement,according to the invention is shown. Mounted on shaft 72, for therotation of said shaft and die wheel 36, is gear 176'. Wheel 172, havingcam surface 174- for reciprocating bar 152, is mounted on frame 70 bymeans of stub axle 178. Said axle also serves as a pivot point for thehinged mounting, at one end thereof, of plate 180. A further stub axle182 is rotatably mounted on the other end of said plate. Secured to stubaxle 182 for rotation therewith, are gear 184, belt wheel 186 andsprocket wheel 188.

Gear 184 is in meshing engagement with gear 176 for driving gear 176 anddie wheel 36. Belt wheel 187 is coupled to wheel 172 by endless belt 190for the rotation of wheel 172 and the reciprocation of doctor blade 122.Plate 180 is locked against frame 70 with gears 184 and 176 in meshingengagement by screw 181 which extends through a slot 183 in said plate.A spring 185 may be provided (FIG. 10) to bias said plate upwardly tomaintain the meshing engagement of said gears and to counter thedownward force caused by the interaction of said gears. This arrangementpermits the replacement of gear 184 by a gear selected from a groupincluding gears of different diameters, plate 40 being pivoted toaccommodate the substituted gears. In this manner, the gear ratiobetween gears 184 and 176 can be adjusted to change the angular velocityof die wheel 36 to maintain the circumferential speed thereof at a valueequal to that of the segmenting wheel after said segmenting wheel hasbeen altered in some respect. This modification would be suificient incertain circumstances without requiring the substitution of a new diewheel or could be made in addition to such substitution. Sprocket wheel188 is connected to a further sprocket wheel 192 by a chain or otherconnecting means shown schematically by dashed line 194. Sprocket wheel192 is fixedly mounted on intermediate shaft 196 for rotation therebyand transmits the rotation of said intermediate shaft to sprocket 188for the driving of web marking apparatus 10.

In the arrangement according to the invention, said web markingapparatus is driven as a slave in response to the rotation of thesegmenting wheel of the segmenting means to which it is connected.Specifically, sprocket Wheel 198 is coupled to the segmenting wheel ofsaid parent segmenting means as shown schematically by dashed lines 200and is rotatively driven in response thereto.

The coupling could be directly to some element of the driving means forsaid segmenting means rather than to the segmenting wheel driventhereby. Such driving means element may rotate at the same angularvelocity as said segmenting wheel or some predetermined proportionthereof. In the latter case, the arrangement connecting said element tosaid die wheel would be adapted to transform the angular velocity ofsaid element to the angular velocity required to drive the die wheelaccording to the invention. Shaft 196 is journaled through sprocketwheel 198 to permit the rotation of said shaft independent of saidsprocket wheel, the driving force of sprocket wheel 198 beingtransmitted to sprocket wheel 192 through a registration arrangement 202in a manner described below.

The foregoing arrangement is necessitated by the provision of idlermotor 204 coupled to drive shaft 196 through sprocket wheel 206 and anoverride clutch 210'. The coupling arrangement between sprocket wheel206 and override clutch 210 is shown schematically by dashed lines 208.Idler motor 204 is provided to rotate die wheel 36 during periods thatthe parent segmenting means is stopped to prevent the ink from dryingout in the recesses of the gravure type die wheel or in the well. Idlermotor 204 runs at a lower revolution per minute rate than the normalspeed of the segmenting wheel, as transmitted to intermediate shaft 196through sprocket wheels 192 and 198 and registration arrangement 202.The drive from said idler motor is applied directly to first clutchmember 212 of said override clutch, said first clutch member beingadapted for rotation independent of shaft 196. The second clutch member214 of said override clutch is fixed to shaft 196 and is rotatedtherewith. During normal operation, shaft 196 is rotated at a relativelyhigh speed by sprocket wheel 198 acting through registration means 202and sprocket wheel 192. Override clutch 210 is adapted to permitrelative rotation between said first and second clutch members wherebythe rotation of intermediate shaft 196 is governed by the higherrevolution per minute rate of the drive from the segmenting wheel ratherthan the lower speed of the continuously operating idler motor. However,when sprocket wheel 198 stops in response to the stopping of saidsegmenting means and is locked in place by the coupling arrangement 200,shaft 196 continues to rotate under the influence of the idler motor,the drive of which is transmitted thereto through override clutch 210.As described above, impression roller 38 is disengaged from the diewheel during this period, carrying web 20 with it.

Since die wheel 36 is continuously rotated by idler motor 204 during theperiod that the segmenting wheel is stopped, said die and segmentingwheels need not be in registration at the instant that said segmentingwheel is activated. Registration means 202 is interposed between saiddie and segmenting wheels to insure that said wheels are immeditelybrought into proper registration. Registration means 202 includes pin216, extending normally from and secured to the side face of sprocketwheel 198, latch dog 218 pivotably mounted by means of pin 220 to theside face of sprocket wheel 192, and spring 224 fixed at one end to saidside face of sprocket wheel 192 and adapted to bias latch dog 220against intermediate shaft 196 to rotate same. The rotation of shaft 196carries with it sprocket wheel 192 which is fixed thereto. As sprocketwheel 192 rotates, face 228 of latch dog 220 engages against fixed pin216 and rides therealong once during each rotation to pivot said latchdog about pin 222 against the bias of spring 224, said spring returningsaid latch dog back into engagement with shaft 196 when pin 216clearsface 228. Upon the restarting of the segmenting wheel,registration is reestablished because pin 216 engages face 226 of saidlatch dog to override the idler motor only when sprocket wheels 192 and198 are properly aligned relative to each other. Idler motor 204 couldbe coupled through an override clutch directly to shaft 72. In such anembodiment, said shaft would be journaled through gear 196 andregistration means 200 would be interposed directly between said gearand said shaft, means being provided for mounting latch dog 220 on shaft72 for pivoting relative thereto.

The foregoing drive and connecting arrangement, according to theinvention insures that the web marking apparatus is fully responsive tothe rotation of the segmenting wheel of the segmenting means to whichsaid web marking apparatus is connected, while insuring continuedregistration between the indicia imprinted on web and the segments intowhich said Web is later divided. Further, said driving and connectingarrangement provides a means for continuously rotating die wheel 36while the segmenting means is stopped to keep the ink stirring and toinsure that the ink on the die wheel does not dry out.

Web marking apparatus 10 is particularly adapted for connection to asegmenting means and for operation as a slave to the segmenting wheelthereof. Further, the abovedescribed driving and connecting arrangementand said web marking apparatus are particularly adapted for driving adie wheel selected from a group of the wheels of different diameters ata circumferential speed substantially equal to the circumferential speedof the segmenting wheel without regard to variations in the angularvelocity of said segmenting Wheel. Particularly, the provision of meansfor readily removing die wheel 36 for the replacement thereof by a diewheel of a different diameter; the adjustment means for the displacementof impression roller 38, well 40 and doctor blade 122; and the hingedmounting of plate carrying gear 184 on frame 20 to permit thesubstitution of gears of different diameters for gear 176, constitutesubstantial advances over the prior art.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for marking a moving continuous web, said web to beoperated on by segmenting means having a rotatable segmenting wheelengaging said web for defining a plurality of segments in said markedweb, and driving means for rotating said segmenting wheel, whichcomprises marking means having a rotatable die wheel engaging saidmoving web for marking same; connecting means operably connecting saiddriving means and said die wheel for rotating said die wheel at acircumferential speed substantially equal to the circumferential speedof said segmenting wheel, said markings being disposed in predeterminedlocations on said web for registration with said segments; an overrideclutch means; and an idler motor coupled to said die wheel through saidoverride clutch means; said override clutch means being adapted totransmit the rotative drive of said idler motor to said die wheel whensaid segmenting wheel is stopped, and to permit said die wheel to rotatein response to said driving means when said segmenting wheel isrotating, said connecting means including registration means interposedbetween said die wheel and said driving means for coupling said diewheel and driving means during the rotation of said segmenting wheel,permitting the rotation of said die wheel in response to said idlermotor when said segmenting wheel is stopped and returning said markingsto registration with said segments by coupling said die wheel anddriving means upon the initial rotation of said segmenting wheel onlywhen said die and segmenting wheels are aligned.

2. Web marking apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said drivingand connecting means rotate said segmenting wheel and said die wheel atsubstantially the same angular velocity, said segmenting and die wheelshaving substantially identical diameters.

3. Web marking apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said segmentingmeans comprises a strip packaging system, said segmenting wheel being asealing wheel.

4. Web marking apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said segmentingmeans comprises a rotary knife systern, said segmenting means comprisinga rotary knife wheel.

5. Web marking apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said markingmeans includes a frame; a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, saiddie wheel being mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith; and adriven means coupled to said connecting means for rotation in responseto said driving means, said driven means being removably mounted on saidshaft for rotation of said shaft and die wheel, the portion of saidconnecting means coupled to said driven means being displaceablerelative to said driven means to accommodate a driven means selectedfrom a group including driven means of different diameters.

6. Apparatus for marking a continuous web as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid marking means includes a frame; mounting means for removablysupporting said die wheel on said frame for substitution of a die wheelselected from a group including die wheels of difierent diameters, saidmounting means being adapted to permit removal of said die wheel in asubstantially upward direction; a well for carrying ink, a portion ofsaid die wheel extending within said well for inking the peripheralsurface thereof; doctor means engaging the peripheral surface of saidinked die wheel for controlling the amount and distribution of inkthereon; a rotatable impression roller pressingly engaging said movingweb against said rotatable die wheel; and adjustment means for mountingsaid well, doctor means and impression roller on said frame for lateraldisplacement relative to the axis of said die wheel to accommodate a diewheel selected from said group thereof.

7. Web marking apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein saidregistration means includes a shaft coupled to said clutch means forrotation by said idler motor and to said die wheel for rotation thereofin response to either said idler motor or said driving means; drivewheel means having said shaft journaled therethrough and having a pinextending from a side thereof; a latch dog mounted for rotation withsaid shaft and pivotable into and out of en- 12 gagement therewith; andspring means for biasing said pivotably mounted latch dog against saidshaft, said latch dog having a first surface engageable by said pin forrotatably driving said latch dog and shaft to rotate said die wheel inresponse to said driving means, and a second surface engagable by saidpin to pivot said latch dog out of engagement with said shaft to provideclearance for said pin when said drive wheel means is stopped inresponse to the stopping of said segmenting wheel while said shaft andlatch dog continues to rotate in response to said idler motor.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,085,435 6/1937 Lohmann 101-1532,151,028 3/1939 Hayward 10l-226 2,690,121 9/1954 Auerbaeher et a1.101-219 X 2,836,115 5/1958 Page 101-219 2,871,639 2/1959 Forgo 53-1803,052,183 9/1962 Zernov et al. 101-157 3,070,009 12/1962 Kessler 101-2273,163,109 12/1964 Stelling, Jr. 101-219 3,196,787 7/1965 Finke 101-1823,221,651 12/1965 Tagliasacchi 101-183 FOREIGN PATENTS 398,949 9/1933Great Britain 101-226 I. REED FISHER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.101-226, 363

